Biting cold with some snowflakes added for good measure wasn't a deterrent for the 55 participants of the 45th annual Switchback Scamper on Sunday.

The event, sponsored by St. John's Lutheran Church in Jim Thorpe, started at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Summit Hill, went through the community, and then continue down the historic Switchback Trail to Mauch Chunk State Park, a distance of 6.2 miles. A walking segment of the race covered 3.1 miles.The overall winner was David Barachie, 27, of Summit Hill, who finished the course in 38 minutes, 43 seconds. It was 23 seconds faster than second place finisher Daniel Mest.This is the third time Barachie has competed in the Switchback Scamper. He was also the winner last year. "The first time I ran was a long time ago," he said.The first female to cross the finish line was Jane Hassler, 15, of Durham, North Carolina. She was visiting her grandfather, Ray Hassler, in Mahoning Township and she and her father decided to compete in the scamper.Her father, Daniel, finished fifth overall and about 5 1/2 minutes ahead of his daughter.A special plaque was given to John Heycock of York Haven, York County, for participating in the Switchback Scamper for the past 32 years. He ran with his 11-year-old golden retriever, Duncan.Heycock's father, Jack, was born in Summit Hill, the son of a coal miner. Daniel was raised in Jim Thorpe. His father was a teacher and coach in Jim Thorpe in the late 1950s.Barachie said he has been a runner his entire life. He said, "I'm trying to help Panther Valley High school relaunch its cross-country program. That's my priority."Panther Valley School District cut out several sports programs, including cross-country, several years ago as a cost-cutting measure."Having kids involved in sports like cross-country is better than them having nothing to do and getting involved with drugs," Barachie said.The third-place finisher was Tyghe Trimble, 34, of Brooklyn, New York, who recently bought a house in Jim Thorpe. He said earlier this year he ran in the Race Street Run in Jim Thorpe but this is his first time in the Switchback Scamper.He said he decided to move to Jim Thorpe because "we wanted a house near the outdoors." He said when he was younger, he did a lot of hiking. At that time, he had lived in Bethlehem. Watching him run the race on the sidelines was his wife, Jenny Bogo, who is a native of Pittsburgh.The second-place female finisher was Mackenzie Kurtz, 21, of Sugarloaf.She said she saw the publicity for the Scamper and "I just felt like doing it." She runs at home but hasn't previously competed in a race.Her father is originally from the local area. He at one time lived in Summit Hill but graduated from Lehighton Area High School.Two-year-old Carter Reis of Jim Thorpe drove a battery-operated car on the walking course. His mother, Kristin O'Donnell, walked behind him.Rev. F. Peter Muhr, pastor of St. John's Church, said the reason for the Switchback Scamper is, "We mean it to be a fellowship among one another."Walt Schlenner, president of the church council, said the race was run in the coldest weather in years. "The last few years it was in the 60s and maybe even 70s," he said.On Sunday, high temperatures were in the 40s and there were periods when snowflakes fell.Results:First Place - David Barachie.Males: 18 and under - 1. Jack Malay.30-34 - 1. Daniel Mest, 2. Tyghe Trimble, 3. Rick Strasser.35-39 - 1. Neal Davis.40-44 - 1. Rob Boyle, 2. John Guth.45-49 - 1. Daniel Hassler, 2. Paul Onuskanich, 3. Christopher Orem.50-59 - 1. Mike Rawls, 2. Greg Gooding, 3. Bill Poray.60-69 - 1. John Heycock, 2. Tom Gorka, 3. Dave McSherry.70 and older - 1. Walter Rosahar, 2. John Schulte, 3. Ralph McKinney.Females: 18 and under - 1. Jane Hassler, 2. Nicole Davis, 3. Giavanna Cellini.19-24 - 1. MacKenzie Kurtz.25-29 - 1. Chelsey Cosslet, 2. Holly Hawkins, 3. Erika Strasser.35-39 - 1. Stacey Connell, 2. Mikk Regester.40-44 - 1. Marie Rosahac, 2. Julie Burkhardt, 3. Beth Shanfelt.45-49 - 1. Monica Akins.50-50 - 1. Donna Ornosky, 2. Lori Wetzel, 3. Patricia Campbell.Walkers:1. Tom Lager, 2. Connor Mumma, 3. Kailee Ramanchik, 4. Brad Konstas, 5. Gabby Rhoades.Youngest - Cayden Mumma.Oldest - Carl Gray.